Tai Fat Development (Holding) Co Ltd v Gold King Industrial Building (IO) ([2017] HKEC 1366, CFA) concerned a dispute as to whether or not thirteen car parking spaces in the building were common parts. The first owner of the building claimed to be entitled to their exclusive use.
As always, this was a question of interpretation of the words used in the light of the DMC as a whole, other relevant documents and the factual matrix. The CFA agreed with the courts below that these factors all pointed to the conclusion that the car parking spaces were common parts.
The DMC referred to the spaces as ‘loading and unloading areas’. If the spaces were not common parts there would be a breach of the terms of the Government Grant. There would also be severe practical difficulties.
The first owners also relied on estoppel by convention. The incorporated owners had taken leases of the spaces from them. The necessary common understanding that the first owners owned the spaces was lacking, however; the incorporated owners disputed this claim even as they accepted the leases. Nor could the first owners point to any detriment.
Michael Lower
